Abstract
BackgroundThe aim of the present study was to analyse the effects of placebo on bench throw performance in Paralympic weightlifting athletes.MethodsThe study involved four Paralympic weightlifting male athletes (age: 40.25 ± 9.91 years, weight: 60.5 ± 8.29 kg, height: 1.60 ± 0.15 m) that visited the laboratory in three occasions, separated by 72 h. In the first session, the athletes were tested for bench press one repetition maximum (1RM). The other two sessions were performed in a randomized counter-balanced order and involved bench throw tests performed either after taking placebo while being informed that the capsule contained caffeine or without taking any substance (control). The bench throw tests were performed with loads corresponding to 50, 60, 70 and 80% of the bench press 1RM.ResultsAccording to the results, mean velocity (∆: 0.08 m/s, ES 0.36, p < 0.05) and mean propulsive velocity (∆: 0.11 m/s, ES 0.49, p < 0.05) at 50% of 1RM were significantly higher during placebo than control (p < 0.05). However, there were no difference between control and placebo for 60, 70 and 80% of 1RM (p > 0.05).ConclusionOur results suggest that placebo intake, when the athletes were informed they were taking caffeine, might be an efficient strategy to improve the performance of explosive movements in Paralympic weightlifting athletes when using low-loads. This brings the possibility of using placebo in order to increase performance, which might reduce the risks associated with ergogenic aids, such as side-effects and positive doping testing.
Highlights
The aim of the present study was to analyse the effects of placebo on bench throw performance in Paralympic weightlifting athletes
The mean velocity to peak and peak velocity were not different between situations, the mean velocity at 50% RM was significantly higher in placebo vs control (Δ: 0.08 m/s), with moderate effect size (0.36; p < 0.05)
Considering our findings that an inert substance might increase performance when athletes were deceived to believe it was an ergogenic aid; this might help to explain the divergence that often occurs between anecdotal and scientific evidence
Summary
The aim of the present study was to analyse the effects of placebo on bench throw performance in Paralympic weightlifting athletes. Caffeine is one of the most consumed substances by athletes [2] and is considered to positively impact physical performance [3]. In this regard, previous studies suggested that caffeine may be ergogenic, sparing muscle glycogen improving pain tolerance, reducing rate of perceived exertion, increase maximum voluntary contraction, strength and power in high-intensity activities besides of stimulating central. While genetic factors might explain a large portion of the variance associated with the caffeine effects such as pain tolerance, anxiogenic and alert effects [18,19,20], there are important psychological responses to ingesting a substance that should be considered. In a previous study, Costa et al Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition
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